Effect of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Euphorbia Heterophylla on Kidney, Liver and Pancreatic Functions and Plasma Electrolytes in Rabbits

Abstract

Although the use of Euphorbia heterophylla as herbal laxative in Nigeria is associated with severe and sometimes life-threatening side effects, not much is known about the toxic effect of the herb. This study was designed to assess the effect of aqueous leaf extract of the plant on some vital organ functions in rabbits. Three groups of rabbits (six rabbits/groups) were used. Two groups received either 10 mg or 20 mg of aqueous extract/kg body weight for 18 days via oro-gastric route. Members of the third group received saline and served as controls. On the 18 th day, the rabbits were sacrificed following an overnight fast and blood samples were collected via the ear veins in heparinised bottles for plasma preparation. The kidney, liver and pancreas were quickly dissected out and weighed portions were used in preparation of tissue homogenates for biochemical analysis. Using standard procedures, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate transaminase (AST) gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), alanine transaminase (ALT), electrolytes (Na + , K + and Cl-), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, total proteins and albumin were assayed either in tissues or in plasma or both. The results obtained showed that the extract significantly and dose-dependently decreased plasma Na + , urea and creatinine, while plasma Cland K + were significantly elevated relative to control (P < 0.05). The extract also significantly increased fasting blood glucose and plasma amylase (P < 0.05). On the other hand, pancreatic protein and pancreatic amylase were significantly decreased. The plasma levels of GGT, AST and ALP were significantly higher in the extract-treated rabbits, while the activities of the enzymes were significantly decreased in the liver (P < 0.05). ALT did not follow a definite pattern, initially significantly decreasing in plasma and then increasing at the higher extract dose, while the activity of the enzyme significantly increased dose-dependently in the liver (P < 0.05). The extract significantly decreased liver and kidney total protein as well as plasma total protein and plasma albumin (P < 0.05). These results suggest that E. heterophylla may have toxic effects on vital organs and may provide a basis for rationalizing the adverse health effects frequently associated with the use of this herbal laxative.

Changes in Hepatic Function Indices in Ulcerated Rats Treated with Persea americana Seed and Bryophyllum pinnatum Leaf Ethyl Acetate Fraction

“…Elevation of the serum albumin concentration and the marked increased in albumin-globulin ratio show that although liver enzyme markers were released into circulation, the liver biosynthetic ability was not altered by extract and indomethacin administration. 35 Photomicrographs of liver tissues of groups that received indomethacin presented in Fig. 2 and Fig.…”

Acute Toxicity of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Euphorbia heterophylla L. in Sprague Dawley Rats

“…Moreover the use of herbs as medicine is gradually replacing clinical therapies and demands for herbal medicine is increasing due to their perceived efficacy [16]. Euphorbia heterophylla leaf (EHL) extract has been used traditionally for treatment of respiratory tract infections, constipation, migraine, gonorrhea, epilepsy, malaria and skin infections [11,12]. Scientific evidences have also attested to the efficacy of Euphorbia heterophylla leaf extract, yet there has been limited report on its systematic safety [8,17].…”

“…The aqueous extract of the plant was prepared according to the method adopted by Okolie et al [12] with slight modification. The plant was dried at room temperature (27°C) and the dried leaves pulverized in a blender.…”